FAQs for Prospective Students

What duration is a Nursing or Midwifery course?

Our Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) course is 4.5 years full-time.

How do I apply for a Nursing or Midwifery course and what are the entry requirements?

There are three entry routes available. These are the Standard route using Leaving Cert qualifications or equivalent, the Mature Student route (for those aged 23 by the January of the year of application) or the Fetac/QQI route (for those with relevant Fetac qualifications). All applications are made via the CAO (www.cao.ie)

For further information on the standard or Fetac routes, please see the Admissions information pages for each of our courses or contact the UCC Admissions office at admissions@ucc.ie or (021) 4903571.

For further information on mature students’ applications, the UCC Mature Student Office is a useful point of contact: https://www.ucc.ie/en/mature/matureprospective/ There are three steps for a mature student application: apply via CAO (typically by 1st Feb), register with PAS (Public Appointments Service), usually in February also, and then apply for the assessment test. Do keep an eye on deadline dates.

Where will I be based during my clinical placement?

Each student is assigned to a primary HSP (Health Service Provider) where they will complete the majority of their placements. In addition, students will be required to complete some of their placements externally i.e. within other Health Service Providers and external sites.

General Nursing students are assigned to either Cork University Hospital, Bon Secours Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital or Mercy University Hospital. These are all located centrally in Cork City.

Can an International (non-EU) student apply for one of these courses?

If I accept a place on a particular Nursing or Midwifery course, can I change to a different programme during my first year?

There is a 'Change of Course' system, co-ordinated by the UCC Admissions office, which is available within the first month of the college year. This allows students to apply for a change of course. However, the student must have the required points/requirements for the course into which they wish to transfer. See: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/orientation/first-year/change-course/

The School of Nursing and Midwifery transfer scheme allows a limited number of students at the end of first year to transfer into the second year of another programme within the School. Please note that internal transfers between BSc Nursing programmes and the BSc Midwifery programme cannot be facilitated. The possibility of an internal transfer is dependent on certain factors such as the number of places available and the applicant’s first year results.

I would like to transfer to UCC from a Nursing/Midwifery programme in another Higher Education Institution. Is this possible?

You may apply for an external (advanced entry) transfer via the CAO. This is not open to those students entering their fourth year of a course. Please note that the chances of a successful outcome are limited as it is dependent on a place being available, the number of transfer applications received, and whether the modules completed in another institution are compatible with those completed by students at UCC. Applicants must have passed all years in their previous University.

How will the course be divided up between theory and clinical placement?

Each undergraduate programme is a full time course with theory classes running from Monday to Friday anywhere between 9am and 5pm (on the odd occasion until 6pm). There would also be blocks of clinical placement to complete at different stages throughout each academic year. Students will receive a 4 year/4.5 year course structure outlining theory and clinical weeks on commencement of the course in September. There is a 36 week internship period in the final year, during which you would have to complete a 39 hour working week in the clinical areas.

Would I have the opportunity to study abroad?

UCC have an eight week Erasmus Exchange programme which is available, after a selection process, in the 3rd year of the General/Mental Health/Intellectual Disability/Midwifery programmes and 4th year of the Integrated Children’s and General programme.

What type of career opportunities would be available to me on completion of a Nursing/Midwifery degree?

The BSc Nursing /Midwifery programmes offers an excellent foundation for career advancements in nursing and midwifery. Graduates will be well positioned to work in an increasingly complex health care environment and employment opportunities exists in healthcare settings ( acute hospitals, midwifery hospitals, community, long term care settings), research, education and management. You can pursue further specialist studies in nursing/midwifery at postgraduate diploma, masters and doctoral level.

Is there a computer lab available to Nursing and Midwifery students?

There is a 69-seat lab with printing facilities available to students. You have full access to a desktop PC with your student ID as the entrance is swipe access only. Printers and copiers are also available at the Brookfield Library: https://libguides.ucc.ie/medicineandhealthsciences

Additional Information?

It is worth checking out the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) website. The NMBI govern all Nursing/Midwifery courses in Ireland. Each year they publish a brochure for prospective students. This can be downloaded electronically at the following link: